Tending fine-fleeced Shetland sheep and a whole lot more on a small acreage in the Willamette Valley of Oregon

Friday, February 27, 2009

Thanks, Claire!

This week Claire over at Whispering Acres gave me the Premios Dardo award. It always humbles me when someone shows their appreciation for my little corner of the blogosphere by reading, commenting on, following or awarding it. The Premios Dardo award is especially meaningful because "the original intent is to show admiration for a blogger's 'word darts,' i.e., getting one's point across cleanly and pointedly, as well as having a point to get across." I like that; thanks, Claire!

Here are the rules that go with the award:STEP 1: Respond and rework. Answer the following questions, replacing one question that I dislike with a question of my own invention.STEP 2: Add one more question of my own.STEP 3: Tag eight other bloggers.

Here is Step 1 (I'm going to take a pass on Step 2):1) What is your favorite day of the week? Most definitely the Sabbath - Saturday, the seventh day of the week. At God's bidding I get 24 hours to set aside my non-essential labors to worship, fellowship, rest, and reflect. It keeps me from going crazy! (And for those who think six days a week aren't enough to get everything done, I'll let you in on a secret. Just like 90% of a tithing Christian's money goes farther than 100% does for a person who doesn't return God's tithe, He blesses time the same way.)

2) What is your biggest fear? I used to have all sorts of Fears - with a capital "F"! Now I can't think of one, just some things I wouldn't want to experience, but know I would survive with God's help.

3) What was your worst subject in school? Health. I already knew the diet and exercise stuff, and the "sex" stuff was sooooo embarrassing!

4) Who is the last person you hugged? My hubby. He's very huggable, big enough and tall enough for a good bear hug.

5) What websites do you visit when you go online? A whole lot of blogs; The Animal Rescue Site and its related "click and contribute" sites; eBay if I'm watching something.

6) What was the last item that you bought?This cute little teacup and saucer for cheap, along with some groceries at the Grocery Outlet. Isn't it sweet? Oh, what's that inside?A regular 8-oz. mug! (This planter is going to be so cute filled with pansies and primroses on my deck where the deer can't eat the flowers. :-)

7) If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would love to roam all over the British Isles, hike the hills and dales, visit the coastlines, see the native ponies and sheep and cattle, soak up the music, admire the textiles, and sit and listen to the people. But then I'd probably want to MOVE there!

8) What is your dreamlife like? In a word, busy. My mind is running constantly as I drift off to sleep, and continues all night. If you woke me up at any time between bedtime and rising, I could tell you what I was "dreaming" about the moment before. Mostly run-of-the-mill, daily life kind of stuff; occasionally stressful stuff; never weird or completely improbable stuff.

9) If you couldn't have your current job, and money were not an issue, what would be your second choice? Considering that my current "job" includes being graphic designer, editor, first grade teacher, maid, chef, baker, veterinary clinic payroll specialist, animal caretaker, gardener, hand-spinner, dressage trainer of horse(s) and person(s), I think I've used up more than my share of choices, don't you?

10) Has a celebrity's hair cut ever influenced your own hairstyle? Farrah Fawcett's "feathers;" didn't every young female (and a few guys) back then go for those? (Did I just date myself, or what?)

11) If you had a whole day to yourself with no work, commitments, or interruptions, what would you do? Call a couple girlfriends, load up the horses and haul to the beach to ride. Sit down and spin once I got home.

12) What was the last movie you watched? Day of Discovery's "The Eric Liddell Story," the true story of the man behind the movie "Chariots of Fire," complete with interviews of his daughters and others who knew him. The testimony of his short life is powerful; he was truly a man of God.

13) If you were to win the Powerball, what would you do with the money (besides invest it)? Pay off our mortgage, buy the five acres next to us, fence everything the way we want it, put away enough money for all of Brian's education, finish the basement, contribute generously to those causes we care about, buy a newer car, and cover the arena. And get the carpets cleaned every month. :-)

14) What is your favorite plant or flower and why? Oh my. If I had to choose just one kind to surround myself with, it would probably be Japanese maples. That would give me shade, color, architecture, even container plants - the works!

15) What do you do to try to make the world a better place? Treat others the way I want to be treated; share the gospel, using words when necessary; recycle; conserve resources; contribute to environmental and earth-centered charities.

I love the teacup planter! That is so original! I can't wait to see how that looks when planted up. Glad you had fun with the award. It was good to read your answers. I also cracked up over your calendar page!

I really, really appreciate the tag, but I'm so scattered right now I can barely answer one question - "what's for dinner?" Yeesh :-/. So, I'm going to wait until I'll be able to have fun answering the questions. Good stuff to think about!